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St. Thomas Orchestra

String Orchestra

String players from all academic disciplines are invited to audition for the St. Thomas Orchestra. As an orchestra member, you will benefit from instruction by acclaimed conductor Matthew George, as well as section coaches and the St. Thomas string faculty. The ensemble rehearses twice a week and performs up to two concerts each semester. The orchestra repertoire features standard, international and contemporary orchestral works, as well as newly commissioned pieces. The ensemble regularly performs with nationally known solo artists such as the Parker Quartet and Martha Mooke, and has appeared at the Minnesota Music Educators Association conference. The orchestra also been broadcast nationally on PBS television.

Auditions are held during the first week of rehearsals in the Brady Educational Center. Students should prepare one or two pieces which show both lyrical and technical playing. In addition to your prepared piece(s), there will also be some sight-reading. The audition will last no more than ten minutes. All interested incoming students should fill out the online form to reserve an audition. Audition forms are accepted from June 1-Sep.

Chamber Music

In addition to the large ensemble orchestra, string players are encouraged to participate in chamber music ensembles. Chamber groups receive coaching by St. Thomas string faculty and perform on and off campus.

Ensemble Scholarships

Participation in all St. Thomas ensembles counts toward your GPA and is tuition-free. Orchestra members can satisfy the university’s fine arts requirement by participating in the ensemble for four semesters, which adds up to a tuition savings of more than $4,800. In addition, freshmen enrolled in orchestra receive a year’s worth of individual lessons for academic credit at no cost.